School Records

Both federal law and Ohio state law grant to non-residential (non-custodial) parents the same right to receive copies of their children's school records that residential (custodial) parents have.

The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), grants to all parents custodial and noncustodialthe right to inspect their child's school records unless this right has been specifically legally revoked.

Section 99.4 of FERPA states:

An educational agency or institution shall give full rights under the Act to either parent, unless the agency or institution has been provided with evidence that there is a court order, State statute, or legally binding document relating to such matters as divorce, separation, or custody that specifically revokes these rights.

Section 3109.05.1 of the Ohio Revised Code, goes even further. It requires that:

a parent of a child who is not the residential parent of the child is entitled to access, under the same terms and conditions under which access is provided to the residential parent, to any record that is related to the child and to which the residential parent of the child legally is provided access, unless the court determines that it would not be in the best interest of the child for the parent who is not the residential parent to have access to the records under those same terms and conditions (emphasis added).

The Separated Parenting Access and Resources Center (SPARC) has very useful information to help you get your child's school records on their web page "Getting Access to Your Child's Report Cards and School Records".
The site includes sample letters and tips for cooperative interactions with schools.

The Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators provides a useful summary of Ohio law concerning access to children's school records, activities and events on their Letter of the Law page.